Chapter 57: 57 speechless

"Sis, why did she bring us food?" The little girl looked eagerly at her sister, waiting for an answer.

"Because she feels sorry for us. Remember, there are still a lot of good people in this village."

The two children nodded vaguely.

Zhou Lihong’s heart was a mix of emotions, but she would definitely remember Jiang Xinyu’s kindness.

In the afternoon, Jiang Xinyu got up from her nap and was sitting in front of the stove, both tending the fire and reading a book, when she heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It’s me, Kong Derong."

Who is Kong Derong? Could he be someone from the Kong Family?

Jiang Xinyu opened the door, and indeed, she guessed right. Stepping out the door, she didn’t invite him in, as that wouldn’t be appropriate.

"Are you Brother Kong?"

"Yes, I’m Boss Kong, Kong Derong."

"Does Brother Kong have any business here?"

Kong Derong frowned; was he not being allowed in?

"Jiang Xinyu, you’re sixteen now, right?"

"Yes?"

"I’m twenty-five this year and I want to be friends with you."

Jiang Xinyu was startled. "Brother Kong, I don’t have that thought, I’m really sorry." After saying this, she retreated back into the yard and slammed the door shut.

For the first time in two lifetimes, someone confessed to her. Although she didn’t like him, it was enough to make Jiang Xinyu excited.

Kong Derong looked at the door closed in front of him, his frown deepening.

"I hadn’t finished speaking." As soon as Kong Derong said this, he heard footsteps moving away.

Wasn’t he good enough? Impossible, he was already a platoon leader, considered himself quite handsome, otherwise those young nurses wouldn’t talk to him, yet why was Jiang Xinyu giving him this kind of treatment?

Kong Derong turned and left. Since she didn’t like him, then forget it.

But this little girl was still very pretty, so fair-skinned.

Jiang Xinyu sat dazed in front of the stove. Her mind was filled with thoughts about someone confessing to her.

The red fire shone on her face, and Jiang Xinyu was confused for a while, then realized that the Kong Family didn’t have good intentions; they were thinking about her.

Now Jiang Xinyu finally returned to her senses, frowning, and her brain began to function normally again.

Hmph, the Kong Family had good plans, but no, she couldn’t afford to provoke them now, better to hurry and hide away.

It wasn’t cowardice, just unnecessary trouble to avoid.

Thinking of this, she quickly put out the fire, packed some supplies, ensured there was no fire hazard, and then put on a coat and left with a basket.

It was already three in the afternoon, I wonder if I can catch the last bus?

While walking, Jiang Xinyu was internally criticizing herself; she was really unambitious. Running away at the slightest trouble, great courage indeed.

However, she also knew leaving was the right choice. There was only herself at home; if something went wrong, she would be the one losing.

Thinking about this, she quickened her pace, eventually breaking into a run.

Upon reaching the township bus stop, she saw a few people but decided to ask someone anyway; if there were no more buses, she’d better hurry and walk over.

"Sister, are there any more buses to the city?"

This woman felt happy; although she was over thirty, the young girl still called her sister, so she softened her tone, sounding gentle. "Yes, there’s one more, you came at the right time, it should be arriving soon."

"Thank you, Sister. I was worried I’d miss it."

"Little girl, are you headed to the city?"

"No, I’m going to the county. What about you, Sister?"

"I’m going to the county too; my mother-in-law is hospitalized there, and I’ll be there tonight to accompany her. What about you? What are you doing there?"

"I have some business, visiting relatives."

This sister seemed to have found someone who understood her and started chatting with Jiang Xinyu.

"Sister, the bus is here, why are there so many people?"

"It’s the last bus from the city to the township today. If you miss it, you’d have to walk back, so naturally it’s crowded. But there won’t be many people going to the city."

"That’s good, at least there’s a seat."

When all the people got off the bus, Jiang Xinyu boarded and sat in the middle; although close to the door, this position was relatively the least bumpy.

This sister sat beside Jiang Xinyu and chatted away throughout the journey.

Jiang Xinyu didn’t mind talking; usually, being alone at home, there was no sound except for the radio, so having someone to chat about gossip, she was certainly willing to listen.

The sister got off the bus first, enthusiastically inviting Jiang Xinyu to visit their village sometime.

After getting off the bus, Jiang Xinyu went straight home to tend the fire. It would take until midnight to get warm.

All because of the Kong Family scaring people; otherwise, she’d already be reading novels under the covers.

After opening the door, she didn’t take off her coat, directly tending the fire. She added a pot of water and sat by the stove until it wasn’t as cold.

The body was still weak, especially sensitive to cold, having no heat of its own.

When the water boiled, the living room filled with steam, making it feel less cold than before.

She took off her coat, swept the floor, carried water, grabbed a rag, and cleaned the house, including the kang and furniture. Then she climbed onto the kang to hang curtains and spread the quilt and bedding, tucking herself in.

She steamed some egg custard for herself and ate it with a steamed bun for dinner.

Suddenly hearing a knock on the door, Jiang Xinyu was startled.

"Jiang Xinyu, is that you back home? I’m Wei Kaiyun."

Her mind relaxed upon hearing the name, she hurriedly opened the door, but still didn’t invite him in.

"Director Wei, did you just get off work?"

"Yes, passing by your house, saw the door was latched from inside, so came to check."

"Hmm, thank you for your concern, Director Wei. I’m back home to stay a few days, will go back to work after the fifteenth."

"Why the sudden change of plans?"

"No reason, just had enough, too cold. I’m not holding you up if Director Wei leaves now."

Wei Kaiyun nodded and turned to leave; he was actually hoping to stay for dinner, but since he wasn’t invited and blocked entry, forget it. Next time, he’d bring some meat and have Jiang Xinyu cook for him.

After closing the door, Jiang Xinyu went to the wood shed to retrieve the firewood, branches, and leaves from her space.

The purchased supplies were also arranged properly, rice and flour, and the porcelain jars filled with soybean oil; the condiments were also placed in the cupboard.

Busy, she felt not as cold.

Touching the quilt, it was no longer chilly, so she sat down to eat dinner.

That night, she covered herself with two quilts, it was truly uncomfortable; the kang was warm, but the room was cold. She decided to go out tomorrow and see if there was a coal stove available, something she used for warmth when she was young, as long as it was done right, there would be no carbon monoxide poisoning.

The next morning, shivering, she dressed, boiled water, and freshened up.

Today, she was determined to buy a stove; she even had coal tickets. But who knows if there would be any coal available the sixth day after the New Year? She had been lazy earlier, now paying the price.

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